Tool for seamless conduit terminal elements



Toor. FoR sEAMLEss coNDUIT TERMINAL ELEMENTS Filed sept. 1o, 1954 Jan.6, 1959 A. l. APPLETON 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor" arthur' I. (ljyJletOnfMffdi lli Toor. FOR sEAMLEss CONDUIT TERMINAL ELEMENTS Filed sept. 1o,1954 Jan. 6, 1959 A. APPLETON 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 TooL FOR sEAMLEss coNDuITTERMINAL ELEMENTS Filed sept. '1o. 1954 Jan. 6, 1959 A. l. APPLETON 3Sheets-Sheet 3 United vThe present invention pertains tou the generalvtield of portable tools. More specifically, the invention is Vconcernedwith a novel crimping tool nding particular, but by no means exclusive,utility (in the installation of terminal insulatedsheathed c able.Thisvapplication Ais a continuation-in-parft'of application Serial No.394,651, filed November 27,1953, and now abandoned.

The Aexpression mineral insulated sheathed cable, as used herein,connotes a type of electrical cable or conduit comprising a seamlesstubular metallic sheath which houses one vor more c onductors, thelatterbeing maintained in space d'relatiori toeach other and to thelsheath by an inert mineral substance such aspowdered magnesiumoxide.Since this type of cable possesses many advantageous qualities,including resistance to moisture and lfluids, it is preferable toinstall fluid-tight terminal elements at its ends.

Certain exemplary forms of such terminal elements are disclosed in mycopending application Serial No. 446,475 led July A29, 1954. While thespecific structure of `such elements Y fittings may vary, each includesasealing Well for containing a quantity of sealing compound or asealingmember. The sealing well is closedby a cap of insulatingmaterialwhich anchors one or more insulator sleeves for theY conductors of thecable. The sealing well cap is normally held in place by a deformableretainer skirt which surrounds the sealing well. A general aim of thetool disclosedherein is to etiect positive location or seati ng ofthecap Aand controlled deformation of such retainer skirt to lock thecap in place over'the sealing well. More particularly, it is an objectof the invention to provide a portable toolfor crimping a deformableretainer skirt to anchor the sealingwell `cap Vin place on a terminalelement ortting for mineral insulated sheathed cable, such tool beingcapable of speedy operation by even unskilled personnel.

Another object isto provide a tool of the character set'forth abovewhich will be of simple, compact, inexpensive construction, taking'tulladvantage of the mounting structure of the tting to facilitate operationby means of an ordinary hand wrench. v Y

A further object of the 'invention is to provide such a crimping toolreadily employed to sealingly deform a conduit terminal element whichneed not have external threads. r I

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe yfollowing detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of tool for illustrativelyembodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the tool of fFigplandtaken inthe plane of the line 2 -2.

Fig. '3 isv a view similar to'Fig. 2 but showing thev parts in eiploded.position tob'ringbut st'ruenrralidefairs.v

Figs. 4, Sand 6 are sequential views detailing the im@ Patint manner inwhich the tool of Figl l` maybe'used in install- Y Y ing a fitting.

Figs 7 and 8 are side elevations of aicrirriping member anda reactionmember, respectively, empl'oyedin aseoond formot the present invention.

Figs. 9 and 10 ar'eend views, taken Itoward ythe threaded ends, of thecrimping and. reaction rr'renbers shown in Figs. 7l and 8, respectively.

' Fig. 1l is an c plodedsectionalfviw vshowing aiielec.-

trical conduit,a sealing headandthefsecorid to'rin ofthe present toolprior to their cooperative engagement. .l

Fig. 12 is a sectional view 'li'llustrating the secondform of tool Vasit is Voperating to crimp the skirt'ofthe Vsealingy head. Fig. 13 isanen lar ged,fragmentary viewdetailing a partiofwlig. 1 2 andillustrating thecoactionl or" the crim`ping memb'enjasealingwell cap, Iand the retaining'skirt.v

Fig. 14 is'similar to Fig. 12 i111l1Strating`still another form of thepresent crimping toolfemployed withva sealing head in which the well issealed' bya deformable, resilient plugrather thanja quantityof-past'e-like compound;

Fig. 15 isal perspective illustration of the crimping member shown in; Eig. 14,"and v Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the,resilient tiallybroken away for clarity, wh ich is, shown in Fig. 14.`

While theinventionis susceptibleofvarious moditicationsjand alternativeconstructions, certain illustrative embodiments have 'been :shown in thedrawing and will be described belowinfc'onsiderable. 'detail.. it shouldbe understood, however, thatthereis `nov intentionto limit the inventionto the spec'ic for`1 1is disclosed, but,' on vthe contrary, theintention toc'over all modifications, alter-Y native corisitrnctions'and'equivalents' falling within the spirit andiscope Aof lthe invention'asexpres's'e'd in the appended'cla'irns. Q

Referring m'ore'speciiicaliy to Figs. 1 6 the invention is thereexemplified in a'niillustrative crimping tool The tool i0 vcomprises arnainbody which, for convenience of description, will be referred Vto asa 'barrel 1 1. The naar' is prviaed externally' witng'qplengaginsjrieanssuchV as'wr'nchflats "1,2V and inloutvvard 'appearance resembles arelatively long inut.

structuralfeaturesoftlie V'conduit terminalelements withi which the toolmay be' nsed. An illustrative one' of such terminal'elements is shownin'part in Figs'. 4, 5 fand 6. In the present instanee,',the'terminalelement is. shown as va ittingwhichincludes afhollowfbody having aplurality of vmounting threads`l5 ,-receivable inthe threaded opening ofajunctionibx, lonits kouter 4peripheral' surface. The body/14 has acable-receiving passage '16 for receiving the'endof sheath "17 ofasection of mineral insulated sheathed cable, 'the last few inches of thesheath 17 having beenstripped away so as to expose conductors 18andii9.V The sheath `17 may be anchored Withinthecable-receivingpass'age 1 6 by means such as 'self-cutting threads' 2b.Situated V within 'the'iitting 4body 1 4 and communicating with'thecable-receiving passage 16jis a sealing well 21 which is adapted toreceive a quantity of sealing compound inthe forni of an insulatingpaste. The outer end of the sealing well 21 is formedwith a recess'ZZand a surrounding retainer sk jirt 24. VThe recess 'Z2 is adapted toreceive-the sealingwellcap 25 andthe energias.

26, 28 having enlarged bulbous ends which project into the sealing well21 when the litting is assembled as shown I .iigurationsqSituated'inside the barrel and intermediate the ends thereof Vis anannular wall 29. The latter is formed with a tapered or substantiallytruste-conical squeezing shoulder 3G which increases in diameter towardthe fitting-engaging end of the barrel. The shoulder is UJI soproportioned, that it will ac'costy the retainer skirt 24 and deform thesame radially inward when drawn axially toward the fitting body 14.

In order to positively draw the barrel 11 axially over the. skirt 24 andthus `elect the squeezing action just mentioned, provision'ismade in theillustrative tool 1t) for taking advantage of the mounting threads 15 onthe titting body. Accordingly, the barrel 11 is formed ad- ]acentits-fitting-engaging end with vinternal threads 31 of appropriate sizeandpitch to engage .the iitting body threads `1S. VTopferi'tiit full'engagement between the shoulder3tl and'theretainerY skirt 24, and alsoto facilitate manufacture' of the barrel, a clearance recess 32 islocated between the threads 31 and the annular wall 29.

Forthe purpose of holding the sealing Vwell cap 25 iirmly'bottomed inthe recess 22 during crimping of the retainer skirt 24 by the tool 10,the barrel 11 is equipped with a resilient holding means in theform of aplunger 34. As jshown'particularly in Fig.Y 3, the plunger 34 in thisnstancevhappens to be of hollow cylindrical construction and has'on itsouter periphery a stop shoulder 3S which may'beof annular form. A radialface 34' on thefeud of the plunger 34 is located concentrically withinVvthesqueezing shoulder 30. The radially innen most margin of theYshoulder 30 is spaced axially away from the fitting-engaging end of thetool with reference to the normal axial location of the face 34 (Fig.4). The plunger 34 is slidably housed within a plungerrecess 36 in thebarrel 11 and is biased toward the fitting-engaging end of the barrel bya loading spring 38. When the tool is assembled, the spring 38 bearsagainst an in turned annularfiangev 39 at the end of the barrel remotefrornlthe threads 31, and the adjacentface Vof the stop shoulderSLl-,The parts are so proportioned `that when the. stop shoulder 35v seatsagainst the annular wall 29. the plunger projects through a circularplunger guide 40 formed in the wall 29 and extends somewhat beyond theVsqueezing shoulder 30 Yand toward the fitting-engaging l end of thetool.

Although it is quite possible that the normal mode of use of the toolwill be already apparent to those skilled in theart, it willnevertheless be helpful to outline sequentially the principal steps inusing the tool. Starting with the tool 10'and the fitting in thecondition indicated in Fig. 4, the first step is to till the sealingwell 21 with sealingV compound 41. Next, the sealing well cap 25 andprotective sleeves 26, 28 are slid along the exposed conductors towardthe fitting body until the cap 25 seats tirmly in the recess 22 at themouth of the sealing Well. At this point, the tool 10i is slipped overthe conductors 18, 19 and their sleeves 26, 28; brought into threadedengagement with the mounting threads on the tting body; and turned byhand until the end radial face 34 of the plunger 34 accosts the outerface of the sealing well cap and the squeezing shoulder 30 accosts thefree end of the retainer skirt 24. During the course of such action, theplunger 34 may be displaced axially a slight distance in opposition tothe thrust of its loading spring 38 butthe face 34 rmly urges the capinto lthe recess 22V so that the sealing compound is pressed into everypart of the well and` so that the skirt will not crush the edges of thecap. Abutment of the squeezing shoulder against the end, 0f th@ retineri Y 4 skirt 24, as shown in Fig. 5, results in a sharp increase inresistance to turning of the tool 10 relative to the fitting body 14. Atthis point, a hand wrench is utilized to turn the tool 10, therebydrawing the squeezing shoulder hard against the retainer skirt 24 andexerting a radially inward squeeze on said shoulder. The skirt deformsapproximately to the .extent indicated' in Fig. 6, whereupon theresistance to further turning of the tool 19 rises perceptibly,indicating that crimping ofthe retainer skirt 24 has been completed.

The tool l@ has been illustrated as applied to installation of a ttinghaving the sealing well integral with the fitting body.

It will be appreciated, however, that the tool may be applied with equalfacility to ttings where the sealing well is formed'separately from thefitting body. By the same token, it will also be appreciated that thetool 10 with little or no modification, is susceptible of performingcrimping operations on a Wide variety of devices in addition to theparticular types of fittings mentioned earlier herein. v

Turning next to Figs. 7 through 13, a second'embodi'- ment of thepresent tool is there illustrated, parts. generally similar tok thoseshown-in Figs."`16 being :designated by like reference numerals towhich'the suix a has been added. In this second form, the'tool isintended to crimp, with an accurately controlled action, thecap-retaining skirt 24a of a conduit terminal element or sealing Ahead14a which is not externally threaded but rather which is relativelysmooth on its outer surface.

incertain types of electrical installations, such as in dustrial controlpanels, no threaded litting body or con nector is required. Ratheigfthemineral insulated sheathed cable is -merely clamped near its end, thesheath sealed by the head 14a, and the individual conductors 18a, 19aconnected to the electrical apparatus, for example, a contactor. v l jThe sealing head or pot 14a-shown for purposes ot illustrationY in Figs.ll and l2 is generallysimilar to the tting body 14 shown in Figs. 4,' 5and 6 in that the former is somewhatlarger in diameter than the conduitsheath 17a and is adapted, as `by self-cutting threads 20a, to berigidly fixed on the end of the conduit sheath. Thelziead 14a is alsoformed with a relatively small diameter 'cable receiving passage 16aopening into a sealing well 21a which is bordered by the deformablecap-retaining skirt 24a and a recess 22a for receiving a cap 25d whichretains sealing compound 4ta (Fig. l2).

With the sealing head lla'tixed on the end of the conduit sheath 17a,there would normally be *no means for axially forcing a crimping memberor barrel against the skirt 24a. In accordance with another'a'spect ofthe invention, this difticultyis overcome by the provision of a reactionmember Sti which is adapted to be removably slipped over the sheath 17aafter the fitting body 14a is fixed to the latter. The reaction membery5l) isrfurther adapted to then be shifted axially into telescopingrelation with thev head Ma and is provided with means for engaging theconduit end (i. e., the end receiving the conduit) of the head so thatsuch telescoping action is limited. Still further, the reaction member50 is so formed as to receive a crimping member or barrel 11a in amanner such that the two can be drawn axially together, thus, squeezingthe head 14a between them and causing the desired inward deformation ofthe skirt 24a.

As here shown, the reaction `member 50 is sleeve-like in form, having alongitudinal passageway therein which includes a relatively largediameter portion S1 and a relatively small diameter portion 52. Theinternal diameters of the portions 51 and 52 are preferably onlyslightly greater than the diameters of the head 14a' and the conduitsheath 17a. The large and small diameter portions are' separated by aninernal radial shoulder'54 which is adapted to abut the conduit end ofthe head 14n as that part of the reaction member which detinesthe wrenchats 56.

Since the reaction member is lintended to be only temporarily employedafter thehead 14a has lbeen iixed to the conduit sheath 17a, it isprovided with a longitudinal slot 58 whichis slightly greater in widththan the diameter of thefsheath 'll7a. Thus, the reaction member may beslippedover the conduit` sheath {andthen slid toward the head 14a untilthe latter is telescoped into the larger-diameter passage portion 151and abuts against the internal shoulder S4. Removal of. the reactionmember 50 maybe accomplished by performing the steps in reversesequence.

The crimping member or barrel 11a is in this instance also sleeve-likein form, being provided withff'a longitudinal lpassage which includesthe relatively large die ameter portion 32a internally threaded as at31a to 'cooperatively 'engage the threads 55 on the' reaction memberSi?. The longitudinal passage through-the barrel 11a further includesY asmall diameterportion 36u through which the conductors 18a, 19a 4and theinsulatinghsleeves 26a, 28a maybe passed. Separating vthe Vlargeandsmall diameter passage portions 32a and 36a is a radialfface 34a', inthis instance-formed integrally with the barrel. The face 34a isIslightly smaller in diameter than the deformable skirt 24a on thefitting body and vis adapted to abut the sealing'cap 2521 to rmly seatthe latter in'the recess v22a as vtheparts are brought into engagement.Concentrically surrounding the radial face 34a', Vthere is a taperedsqueezingshoulder'Sila'which is adapted to deform the vsealing skirt 24ayas explained previously in connection with Figs. 1 6. It will be notedthat the shoulder 30a has its radially innermost margin disposed axiallyspaced, in-a direction away from the head-engaging end of the barrel,from the cap-engaging face 34a. The shoulder 30a flares radially outwardin van 'axial direction toward the fitting-engaging end' of the barrellla.

`Itis possible that an excess amount `of the sealing compound 41a`mightsometimes be placed in the sealing well 21a. To permit escape of theexcess'compound squeezed `out of the well as the cap is snugly seated,the crimping member 11a is ported or ventedk on its sides. In `thepresent case, one or more circumferentially disposed-ports 60 (Fig. 7)are'cutin the -body of the barrel 11a. These communicate from within thepassageway portion 32a to the external surface of the barrel, which as.shown, may be formed lwith wrench ilats 12a. Thus, when the parts -arebrought together and the cap 25a yfirmly seated in the recess 22a, anyexcessive sealing compound squeezed out ofthe well 21a may escape fromwithin'the barrel 11a through the slots 60.

This second form of the present tool is utilized in substantially thesame manner as 4that previously described, except that the reactionmember 50 provides means for drawing the barrell 11a axially over thefitting body.- The steps in the use of the tool may be brieliy set forthin order to provide a clearer understanding of its advantages.

First, the sealing well 20a isvlled with the sealing Vcompound lla,after the'tting bodylia has been iixed on the end of the conduit sheath17a. The insulatingsleeves 26a are slipped into the sealing well and thesealing cap 25a roughly positioned in its recess 22a. Next, the reactionmember is placed over the conduit sheath 17a, by inserting the latterthrough the slot 58; and then the reaction member is moved axially alongthe conduit until the sealing head 14a telescopes into the largerVdiameter passage 51 and abuts the internal shoulder 54. Thecrimpingbarrel 11a is next slipped over the insulated conductors 18a, 19a, andthreads 31a brought into engagementvwith the cooperating threads 55 on'the reaction member.

6 Tightening'bf-the reaction member 50 and crimping barrel 11a intothreaded engagement "then advancesthe radial 22a. Asthethreadingmovement progresses; the tapered shoulder 30a -isbroug'htinto engagement with the retaining skirt.2`4a sothat thelatter isdeformed radially inward to lock the cap 25min place (Fig. v12).

The reaction member 50'and crimping' barrelglla may l then bedisengaged, the former beingV slipped oi'the insulated conductors 18a, 19 aand kthe latter slipped'otf of the conduit 17a. The sealing is thencompletewith the vskirt 24a properly deformed to retain the cap 25a inplace. The entire yoper-ation described above may be completed in amatter'of only `alfew minutes. Y

With referenceto Fig. 13,:itwillbe observedthatl as theinwarddeform-ation of the; skirt 24a beginsLthe radial face 34a abutsthecap 25aand positively shifts thelatter into the recess 22a.'4 Thisassures that the skirt is crimped over the vouter face of the cap ratherthan onto its edges, As the inward deformation ofthe'skirt 24aprogresses, the

` radial face 34a firmly seats Athe cap in the recess. It is irn-vcannot tighten the crimping member 11a on the reaction v member 50 to'such an extent that the main portion of the body 14a yand the cap 25alare crus'hevdjby the inclined shoulder 30a.

TurningjnextVt-ojFigs. 14516,'the crimping tool there shown isgeneralylike that illustrated in Figs. 7`-13. Accordingly the samereference, characters with the distinguishing suiiix b are employed to`identify like parts. This embodiment of `the tool is particularly welladapted for Vuse on a fitting of the type described and claimed in thejoint application of Arthur I. Appleton, Norton A. Appleton, and Nils A.Tornblom, Serial No. 495,244, tiled March 18, 1955, ln such a fitting,as illustrated in Figs. lll-16 atight seal is effected between thefitting body or head 141? andthe exposed conductors 18b, 19b, by meansof a deformable, resilient member disposed in the sealing well 2lb andsqueezed into a snug tit with the well and conductors whenjthe'cap--ZSbis seated in'its recess and ltheretainer skirt 24h turned inwardly. Thiseliminates the need for Va paste-like sealingcoinpound which issometimes rather awkward to handle in close quarters.

The resilient member 65 is here embodied as a plug of forming bulbousends'on ksuch sleeves as shown in Figs.

ll'and l2. Either thermal fusion of the rubber-like plug and sleeves ora separate gluing agent may be used to fix the `parts together. Ineither case, assemblyis greatly simplified, Vsince the cap 25h may beslipped over thev sleeves 2Gb, -28b as shown in Fig. 16 and-thesubassembly handled as a unit.l l l The reaction member 50b and crimpingmember 11b are in general constructed and operate inthe same manner asthe parts 50 and '11a 'described in connection with Figs. 7-13.Howevenin this embodiment, the crimping 'l nut 11b is formed with solidwalls, i. e. without the vents or ports`60 as shown in Fig. 7, since theuse of the resilient plug 6'5 obviates the problem ofexcess'ive sealingcom? pound being squeezed out of the sealing vwell 2lb. The nut J11,'b(Figs. A14 and 15), therefore, has a continuousoutersurfaceformdwith'wrench Iflats and is internally f'Th'e luse4 of'the tool in compres formed with an inclined shoulder h and radial face34h' as-previouslydescribedabove.1 t Y I,r

' *('ngandllocking the :sealingesili'ent plug 65`inthe well 2lbwillbeapparent from'theforegoing'description. Briefly,'iafter the head14h isr threaded onto the end of the sheath v1711, the Vplug is slippedinto the well 2lb by `inserting the exposed conductors 18h, 1917into-the holes '66, 67 and through the insulating sleeves 26h, 28h. -Thecap 25!) isthenvslipped partially into the recess 22b and the nut1lb-tightened onto the reaction member 591). IVhis causes the radialface 34hY to axially seat the cap'25b in the recess 22b, thereby axiallycompressing the plug 60 and causing it to expand radially into positivesealing engagement with the well-2lb, Further tightening' of thenut-causes tapered shoulder 36h to vcrimp the skirt 241: inwardly intolocking engagement with thecap 25h-The uut 11b and reaction member 5011may then be removed, leaving the cable terminated with the interior' ofthe sheath 17 b effectively sealed against moisture and gases, and withthe conductors lsb, 191)` ready for electrical `connection to anydesired apparatus.

.I claim:

l. A tool for use in effectingcrimping of a' sealing skirt on a seamlessconduit terminal element around a sealing well cap for such element,said tool comprising a barrelhaving a stepped longitudinalpassagewaytherethrough,`said passageway being divided into large ands-mall diameter-portions which 'are separated by an annular radial face,there being a tapered shoulder radially surrounding a portion or" saidface with its radially innermost margin spaced axially from saidface ina direction toward said small diameter portion and flaring radiallyoutward toward said large diameter portion, and means for positivelydrawing said barrel axiallyover the terminal element so that the skirttelescopesinto said large diameter portion of the barrel passageway andis deformed radially inward by engagement with said tapered shoulder.

2. A tool for use with a cable terminal element having a sealing wellbordered at one axial end by a deformable cap retainer skirt, andincluding a sealing well cap insertable into the well; said toolcomprising a barrel having a central longitudinal passagewaytherethrough and including a large diameter portion adapted to telescopeover said skirt, a smaller diameter portion separated from said largediameter portion'by an annular radial face adapted to abut the cap andaxially position the latter within the skirt as an incident to suchtelescoping, a tapered'shoulder radially surrounding a portion'of saidface 'and aring axiallyoutward from its innermost marginalV edge 'towardsaid large diameter portion of the longitudinal/passage, and means forpositively drawing said barrel. axially over the skirt, whereby saidface positively positions the cap within the skirt and saidV shoulderradially' crimps the skirt to Veffect permanent retention of thecap.

l3. A tool for use. witha iitting having a sealing'well surrounded by acap retainer skirt, said tting also having a 'sealing well capassociated therewith, said tool comprising, in combination, a barrelhaving a longitudinally extending opening therein, an annular wallsituated within said barrel intermediate the ends; thereof, internalthreads between said wall and one endlof said barrel, means forreceiving a member for applying a torque to said barrel, a resilientlyloaded plunger sliclably mounted vwithin` said body Vand having a radialface projecting through said annular wall, saidrplunger being biased to-WardV s aid one end of said barrel, and atapered squeezing shoulder onsaid annular wall, said shoulder aring outwardly from a pointv behindsaid plunger face toward said one end of said barrel.

4. A tool for crimping the sealing Well retainer, skirt over the sealingwellcap on a fitting for mineral insulated sheathed' conduit, the ttinghaving' mounting threads thereon, said tool comprising, in combination,a hollow fbdy, an annularwall Vsituated withinsaid body intermediate theends thereof, internal threads between said Wall and oneend of saidbOdy,said `internalthreads'being adapted to engage the mounting threads ofsaid fitting', a hollow Yspring loadedy plunger adapted to bearresiliently against vthe sealing well cap, said plungerbeing slidablymounted withinsaid body and having a radial 'face on its end projectingthrough said annular wall, a compression spring interposed between saidplunger and the otherend of said body, and a tapered squeezing shoulderon said annular Wall, said shoulder flaring outwardly from a pointbehind-said plunger face toward said one end of said body. i

5. A tool for crimping `the sealing well retainer skirt over the sealingwell cap on a fitting for mineral insulated sheathed conduit, saidfitting havingexternal mounting threads thereon, said tool comprising,in combination, a hollow body, an annular wall located within said bodyintermediate the ends thereof, a substantially truste-conical squeezingshoulder situated on said annular wall and increasing invdiameter towardone end of said body, internal threads between said Wall and said oneend of said body, said threadsl being adapted to engage thc mountingthreads of said fitting, a hollow spring loaded plunger yadapted tobearresiliently against the sealing well cap,l said'plunger beingslidablymounted within said body and having a radial face on one endthereof surrounded by said Asqueezing shoulder, a stop shoulder on saidplunger, and aeompression spring interposed between said plunger stopshoulder and the other end Vof said body, said compression spring beingdisposed to yieldably maintain said plunger stop shoulder in abuttingrelation with said annular wall.

6. A portable tool for crimping a deformable skirt or sleeve radiallyinward to retain aY detachable part, said tool comprising, incombination, a hollow barrel, a squeezing shoulder situated within saidbarrel intermediate the ends thereof,'said shoulder flaring outwardlytoward one end of said barrel, means for drawing said barrel toward thedeformable skirt and thereby bringing said shoulder into squeezingrelation with the skirt, and a resiliently loaded plunger slidablymounted within said barrel and projecting toward said one end thereof,said plunger having a radial face on one end surrounded by said shoulderVand adapted to bear against the detachable part to hold the samein'place during crimping of said deformable skirt.

7. A tool for use with a seamless conduit terminal element having an'open-ended sealing well with a marginal,v deformable skirt, and asealing well cap insertable' into thel well for retention-upon inwarddeformation of the skirt; said tool comprising the combination of asleevelike reaction member with a crimping barrel; said reaction memberbeing formed with a radial slot extending the entire length thereof andpermitting the reaction member to be slipped over the conduit, anexternally threaded portion adapted to telescope over the terminalelement, and an internal shoulder Vadapted to abut the rear end ci theelement to limit such telescoping; said crimping barrel having meansdefining a longitudinal passageway therethrough including an internallythreaded large diameterportion adapted for threaded engagementV withsaid externally threaded reaction member portion, means deining anannular radial face of lesser diameter than the fitting skirt andadapted to positively position the cap in the skirt as an incident tosuch threaded engagement, and means defining a tapered shouldersurrounding said face and daring radially outwardly from a point spacedaxially behind said face toward said large diameter portion, wherebysaid shoulder crimps said skirt radially inward subsequent to thepositioning of the cap therein by said radialface as said barrel isthreaded onto said reaction menjlbe'rl` l Y v 'S'.*Av tool for use witha conduit sealing head which has an open sealing well bordered by aninwardly deformable skirt and a sealing cap insertable into the well;said tool comprising the combination of a sleeve-like reaction member,with a crimping barrel; said reaction member having an externallythreaded portion adapted to telescope over the sealing head, an internalradial shoulder adapted to abut the conduit end of said head and limitsuch telescoping, and being formed with a lengthwise slot for permittingof insertion and removal of conduit into and from said reaction member;said crimping barrel being formed with an internally threaded portionadapted for threaded engagement with said externally threaded reaction`member portion, an internal annular radial face opposite the mouth ofsaid internally threaded portion and having a diameter less than that ofthe sealing skirt, a tapered shoulder aring radially outward from apoint axially spaced from said face in a direction away from the mouthof the internally threaded I portion toward such mouth; and wrenchengaging means on the external surfaces of said reaction member andbarrel to permit tightening of the same into threaded engagement,whereby said face positions the cap in the well and said taperedshoulder subsequently crimps the skirt y inwardly.

9. A tool for use in ef'ecting' deformation of a skirt on the end of aconduit sealing head which is securely iixed to one end of a conduit ofsmaller diameter than that of the head, said tool comprising thecombination of a sleeve-like reaction member and a sleeve-like crimpingmember; one of said members having an externally threaded portionadapted to telescope over said head, an internal shoulder adapted toabut the conduit end of the head upon such telescoping, and `said onemember being formed with al longitudinal slot permitting such member tobe slipped over and removed from conduit; the other of said membershaving an internally threaded portion adapted for threaded engagementwith said externally threaded portion, a radially tapered internalshoulder adapted to abut and deform the tting skirt when the two membersare so threadably engaged, and a radial face disposed radially inwardlyfrom said tapered shoulder and opposite the medial portion of the latterin a lengthwise direction.

10. A tool for use in effecting deformation of a part of a conduitsealing head which is rigidly fixed to one end of a conduit, said toolcomprising the combination of a sleeve-like reaction member with asleeve-like crimping member; said reaction member having an externallythreaded portion adapted to telescope over the head and an internalshoulder adapted to abut one end of the head to limit such telescoping,said reaction member further being formed with a lengthwise slot thereinfor permitting it to be slipped on and oit of the conduit; said crimpingmember having yan internally threaded portion adapted for threadedengagement With said externally threaded reaction member portion, aradially tapered iuternal shoulder adapted to engage and deform theother end of the head as an incident to tightening of said threadedportions, and a radial face disposed radially inwardly from said taperedshoulder and opposite the medial portion of the latter in a lengthwisedirection.

ll. In a tool for deforming the skirt of a cable terminal element so astoretain a cap in closing relation with a sealing well filled withviscous sealing compound; a crimping barrel having internal threads, aVradially tapered internal shoulder, a radial face disposed radiallyinwardly from said tapered shoulder and opposite the medial portion ofthe latter in a lengthwise direction, and said barrel having at leastone port therein to communicate from the interior to the exterior; andmeans engageable with said internal threads for drawing said barrel overthe terminal element to thereby cause said shoulder to deform saidskirt, excess sealing compound in the sealing Well escaping freely fromsaid barrel through said port.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,224,875 Zarth May 1, 1917 1,773,410 Selah Aug. 19, 1930 2,015,541vWeatherhead Sept. 24, 1935 2,355,871 Kraft' Aug. l5, 1944 2,604,258Murnane et al. July 22, 1952

